Carlos Alcaraz, huh? This guy’s tennis career before hitting 21 is something else. Even Tim Henman, yep, that former ATP player, can’t help but be impressed.
So, Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal are now in this exclusive club. They’re the only players to have snagged 5 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments before celebrating their 21st. And guess what? Alcaraz just clinched his latest at the Indian Wells Open. Beat Daniil Medvedev, no less.
Henman, chatting with Sky Sports, couldn’t hide his amazement. Tennis, as we know, is brutal on the body. And here’s Alcaraz, not even 21, playing like he’s been at it for decades.
The grind at this level? It’s intense. But Alcaraz? He’s been nothing short of spectacular from the get-go.
Henman dropped some wisdom, saying, “The vast majority of players now, given the physicality, it takes longer for these players to break through. And so for me, it adds to the quality of Alcaraz that he can play at this level at the age of 20, but to have that physicality as well.”
Chasing Rafa’s record at such a young age? Henman finds it amazing. “So to see him chasing Rafa with five Masters 1000s [before 21], it’s amazing. And given that mindset, given his team, the hunger and desire and motivation… He has to stay injury-free, we saw him twist his ankle on the clay down in South America, so you’ve always got to be wary of that.”
Alcaraz isn’t stopping anytime soon. He’s eyeing his sixth and maybe even seventh ATP Masters 1000 trophy before he turns 21. The Miami Open’s up next, and he’s won it before.
Then there’s the Monte-Carlo Masters in April. And right after that, the Madrid Open, where he’ll celebrate his 21st birthday. What a journey, right?
Takeaways
‣ Carlos Alcaraz has had one of the most impressive tennis careers before turning 21, becoming the only player alongside Rafael Nadal to win 5 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments at such a young age.
‣ Tim Henman highlights Alcaraz’s physicality and ability to compete at a high level in tennis at the age of 20, a sport where physical peak typically comes later.
‣ Alcaraz has the opportunity to win a sixth and seventh ATP Masters 1000 trophy before turning 21, with upcoming tournaments including the Miami Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters.